Watch Summer of Soul Juneteenth Celebration

On June 19, 2021, Hulu premiered "Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)," a documentary film directed by Questlove, that captures the essence of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, also known as "Black Woodstock." The film features never-before-seen footage of the festival, which took place over six weekends in Marcus Garvey Park, showcasing over thirty legendary musical performers, as well as interviews with attendees and musicians.

The documentary opens with the tale of the festival's importance and how it was forgotten for over fifty years, despite the fact that it was attended by nearly 300,000 people and captured on film by Hal Tulchin, who hoped to sell it to a television network. The film then offers a glimpse into the political and social climate of the time, including the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Vietnam War, which led to the White House's reluctance to support events that could potentially cause riots.

The festival, however, went on, and the documentary takes us through the performances of iconic musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, and B.B. King. In addition to the music, viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes interviews, which provide context for the performances, as well as touch on issues like the underrepresentation of women in the music industry.

One of the standout moments of the documentary involves a performance by the gospel group The Edwin Hawkins Singers, who performed their hit song, "Oh Happy Day." The electrifying performance was a surprise hit, ultimately becoming a pop hit, despite being removed from gospel stations. The documentary also highlights the incredible dynamic between festival performers and attendees, with many musicians expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to play for a Black audience, which was not widely available outside of Black communities.

"Summer of Soul" is not just a nostalgic look at the past, however; it provides a poignant commentary on the present, as the film wraps up with musings on what drives the Black community and how it is depicted in the wider cultural context. It also drives home the fact that the festival was a significant event in Black cultural history and deserves the recognition it never received until now.

In honor of Juneteenth, the day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, Hulu released an edited version of the documentary with the subtitle "Juneteenth Celebration." The special edition includes new interviews, additional footage from the original performances, and additional interviews with Questlove, as well as other contemporary Black musicians and artists.

The Juneteenth Celebration version of "Summer of Soul" opens with a brief introduction by Tina Fey, who outlines the importance of Juneteenth and why it deserves to be celebrated. Fey's introduction then leads into an additional 30 minutes of new material that expands on the ideas present in the original documentary.

The additional footage includes interviews with contemporary musicians, as well as additional performances from the festival, which did not make it into the original documentary. The additional interviews and footage provide a fuller picture of the festival and its impact on American culture, both then and now.

The Juneteenth Celebration version of "Summer of Soul" also includes a discussion of the role of music in the Black experience, featuring interviews with influential Black musicians, such as Black Thought, the Roots' co-founder and frontman, who provides his thoughts on the significance of the festival in Black cultural history. Other interviews touch on the broader political and social context of the festival and its legacy, including the impact it has had on younger generations of Black musicians.

Overall, the "Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Juneteenth Celebration" is an entertaining, enlightening, and moving documentary that will appeal to anyone with an interest in Black cultural history, music festivals, or the power of music to bring people together. With its new Juneteenth Celebration edits, the film is even more timely and relevant, offering a powerful commentary on the role of music in the Black experience, and its capacity to inspire and transform lives.

Summer of Soul Juneteenth Celebration is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on June 21, 2021.